Japan took a huge step towards securing a World Cup spot as they trounced Indonesia 4-0 in their qualifying match on Friday. This comprehensive victory not only extended their lead at the top of the qualifying table but also left Indonesia reeling from the hammering they received.
The Japanese side appeared to be in high gear from the opening whistle, with their fluid movements and pinpoint passing causing all sorts of problems for the Indonesian defense. The latter's attempts to stem the tide were largely unsuccessful, as Japan's attacking quartet ran riot, showcasing their superiority over their opponents.
The scoreboard could have been even more one-sided had Japan converted all of their chances into goals. However, the four goals they managed to score would have been enough to send a stern warning to the other teams in their qualifying group.
With this win, Japan's hopes of making it to the 2026 World Cup received a significant boost. While there's still a long way to go in the qualifying campaign, Japan's current form would suggest that they're a shoo-in for a World Cup spot.
Despite the heavy defeat, Indonesia's dreams of making it to the World Cup aren't over just yet. They will need to dust themselves off from this loss and regroup for their remaining qualifying matches if they're to have any hope of turning their fortunes around.
Japan, on the other hand, would be looking to carry the momentum from this win into their subsequent matches. With their current pace and trajectory, it wouldn't be a surprise if they ended up topping their qualifying group with ease.